- HPE’s Aruba Central platform now supports on-prem virtual private cloud, offering greater control and compliance for enterprise networking.
- The move aligns with rising demand for hybrid cloud architectures in sectors with strict data residency needs.
What happened: Hewlett Packard Enterprise has introduced on-premises virtual private cloud capabilities to Aruba Central
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has launched an on-premises virtual private cloud (VPC) option for its Aruba Central cloud-managed networking platform. Announced on 9 April 2025, the update enables customers to run Aruba Central within their data centers while maintaining a consistent operational experience with the public cloud version.
The new deployment model, named “VPC on-prem,” allows IT teams to manage wired, wireless, and SD-Branch networks from a private environment, addressing enterprise needs around data sovereignty, latency, and security.
According to HPE, container-based micro services make the deployment possible and provide full feature parity with the Aruba Central cloud.
As HPE explained, the update is especially relevant to government, healthcare, and finance sectors, which often face regulatory restrictions around cloud data usage. Aruba Central VPC on-prem is already available to early-access customers, with general availability expected later in 2025.
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Why it’s important
HPE’s shift to support on-premises virtual private clouds reflects a broader industry trend towards hybrid cloud architectures, which present enterprises seeking the cloud’s flexibility with the security of local infrastructure. This offering targets organisations constrained by data residency laws.
The ability to maintain full feature parity across both cloud and on-premises environments means enterprises can now deploy Aruba’s AI-driven networking features without compromising compliance. HPE’s move also helps it stand out against competitors like Cisco Meraki, which is mainly cloud-first, and Juniper Mist, which does not yet offer an on-prem VPC solution.
This announcement builds on HPE’s broader edge-to-cloud strategy to unify networking, computing, and storage across distributed environments. As the demand for secure hybrid networks accelerates, particularly with the rise of remote work and edge computing, Aruba Central’s new deployment flexibility positions HPE as a more compelling choice in regulated markets.
